Hollywood star and model Kate Upton and hubby Justin Verlander, of Major Baseball League fame, tied the knot last November but kept details mum. This week, however, the couple finally tells Vogue all about their romantic Tuscan wedding, and boy, was it worth the wait.
The couple almost missed their own wedding because Verlander had to play in Game Seven of the World Series. They were able to make it in time, however, and what a wonderful whirlwind weekend it was.
Italy, being one of the first few places that the two vacationed in together, was a no-brainer when they were choosing locations for the wedding.
“We fell in love with the Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco resort because of its amazing history and incredible scenery,” Kate says. Their guests were all able to stay in the hotel, where the couple prepared activities for everyone.
“It was really important to Justin and me that it feel like we were on vacation with our closest friends and family,” Kate explains. “We set up an entire afternoon dedicated to interactive games, which we called the Uplander Olympics. Each guest received game-day rules, and everyone was divided into teams with custom Under Armour jerseys. The games included a ping-pong tournament, cornhole, a football toss, relay races, and an epic water balloon fight!”
That night, they held a rehearsal dinner, where they asked everyone to wear red. “Our mothers created a slideshow of our childhoods that went all the way up until the present day, and they showed it at the red party,” says Kate. “Then, we had an open mic for toasts, and it kept everyone laughing all night.”
Kate chose a red lace dress by Italian couture-house Valentino, while Justin opted for a custom-made tuxedo in a darker ruby hue.
The invitation suite was in-theme, with romantic Spencerian script and a watercolor preview of the Tuscan landscape.
Kate’s shimmery Manolo Blahnik’s are the wedding shoes of our dreams.
The wedding took place at the breathtaking Rosewood resort.“We found a beautiful corner of paradise that Tuscany Flowers helped transform into our ‘secret garden,’ ” says Kate. “It was the first time the property had ever held a ceremony in this location.”
“My elderly grandmother was unable to attend the wedding due to the travel distance, so I was honored she let me borrow her sapphire ring—it became my something old, borrowed, and blue,” says Kate.
“I had such a great time creating the fashion story for my wedding weekend!” the model admits. “For my ceremony dress, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the fantastic team at Valentino. They are the best at creating delicate, beautiful lace and details, and their Italian heritage kept the fashion and feel authentic to our venue. The design process was extremely collaborative, so I was able to really include my personal style and create my dream dress.”
Verlander wore a creative tuxedo from Cicchini Custom Clothier. “He had the idea to add a cute detail on the inside of the jacket that read: ‘Just Married’ when he held it open,” says Kate.
“We wanted to keep the beauty classic and simple for the ceremony, and then went bolder for the reception.”
For the reception, Kate ditched her Valentino gown for something more risque. “I wanted a dress that I could have fun in, but that still brought the glamour,” she says of the gown she created with Christy Rilling Studio.
Kate then surprised her groom with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up their lovely venue. Their wedding, following Verlander’s coveted World Series Title, is definitely one for the win.
